In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, on March 19, 2020, California’s public health officer issued an order directing all individuals living in California to stay at home except for as needed to perform essential activities that have been authorized by the state, such as buying food, getting gas, or picking up a prescription.
To protect the health and safety of Californians, the state’s public health officer created a roadmap that identifies four stages of the pandemic, with Stage 4 being the phase where final restrictions are eased and the stay at home order is terminated. As of this writing, California is in Stage 2. Read on as we dig deeper as to what Stage 2 means for Californians.
What Does Stage 2 Involve?
“Gradual movement into Stage 2 is intended to reintroduce activities and sectors in a phased manner and with necessary modifications, in order to protect public health and result in a lower risk for COVID-19 transmission and outbreak in a community.
“Such deliberate phasing is critical to allowing the State to protect the public, and to mitigate and manage the impact of the re-openings, such that our health care delivery system has the capacity to respond to potential increased demands,” wrote Sonia Y Angell, state public health officer & director at the California Department of Public Health.
What’s open during Stage 2?
- Banks
- Pharmacies
- Laundromats
- Grocery stores
- Food banks
- Convenience stores
- Restaurants offering take-out and delivery
- Essential local and state government functions
“Retailers can re-open for delivery or curbside pickup, along with the manufacturing and logistic sectors that support retail. Retail does not include personal services such as beauty salons but does include the sale of goods,” such as bookstores, toy stores, jewelry stores, clothing, and shoe stores, home and furnishing stores, and sporting goods stores, according to covid19.ca.gov.
What’s closed during Stage 2?
- Bars
- Gyms
- Health clubs
- Fitness studios
- Nightclubs
- Dine-in restaurants
- Hair salons
- Nail salons
- Convention centers
- Public events
- Public gatherings
To get the latest updates about COVID-19 in California, click here.
